Treatment of Traveler's Diarrhea in Adults Following Recent International Travel
Traveler's diarrhea is a frequent presentation in adults aged 18 years or older who have recently returned from international travel. Clinical assessment of stool character, fever, and hydration status is essential to guide appropriate first-line management.
Clinical Scenario
Adults (age 18 or older) presenting with diarrhea following recent international travel. The presentation may include acute watery diarrhea; assessment should establish whether the diarrhea is bloody or nonbloody and whether fever is present, as these findings directly shape management choices.
Treatment Approach — Partial Overview
First-line management relies on oral rehydration therapy. For nonbloody, acute watery diarrhea, additional pharmacological support may be appropriate depending on the clinical picture — though certain presentations require specific precautions before any such agent is used. The full regimen, including selection criteria and contraindications, is available in the complete protocol.
References
DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix669
- Most TD is self-treatable with oral rehydration therapy, and, for nonbloody diarrhea in adults, an antimotility agent.
- Reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solution (ORS) is recommended as the first-line therapy of mild to moderate dehydration in infants, children, and adults with acute diarrhea from any cause (strong, moderate), and in people with mild to moderate dehydration associated with vomiting or severe diarrhea.
- Loperamide may be given to immunocompetent adults with acute watery diarrhea (weak, moderate), but should be avoided at any age in suspected or proven cases where toxic megacolon may result in inflammatory diarrhea or diarrhea with fever (strong, low).
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